US-South Korea drills cut short after Trump’s criticism

The annual war games between South Korea and the US, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, were cut short nearly a week early after President Donald Trump ordered their scale-down. Trump cited his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stating that the drills were hostile to a country that had been respectful towards him.

North Korea's state media criticized the exercises as an immediate and open threat, but did not mention Trump's order. Seoul's military announced on Friday that the drills would end on August 21st instead of the originally planned August 27th. North Korea has long denounced the exercises as rehearsals for an invasion, while Seoul's presidential office maintained that the drills did not reflect any intention to attack North Korea or escalate tensions.

Trump has claimed that his ties with Kim have made the situation much safer, but his repeated criticism of alliances has raised concerns about US commitments to security in East Asia.